HomeMy WebLinkAbout1254 - URGING the Colorado State Legislature to pass a local wage option RESOLUTION 1254
A RESOLUTION URGING THE COLORADO LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE
LOCAL WAGE OPTION
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO FINDS AND
RECITES:
A. Communities across our state are struggling to keep up with the rapidly rising costs of
living, but state law prohibits local governments from raising their minimum wage
higher than the state level of$12 an hour.
B. The cost of living varies substantially across Colorado, and there are cities in the state
where workers need more than $12 to survive.
C. Colorado's minimum wage workers are struggling to afford housing, health care, child
care, and other basic necessities.
D. Average rents in Colorado increased six times faster than people's earnings between
2012 and 2016, and hardworking Coloradans should not be forced out of their
communities because wages are not keeping up with rents and other living costs.
E. Research and economic data show that poverty is concentrated among people of color,
children, people with lower educational attainment, and female-headed households;
higher wages for these families would mean they would have more money to spend in
the local economy and more time to spend with their children.
F. A single adult with one child living anywhere in Colorado has to work more than one
minimum wage job to make ends meet and is often forced to choose between rent and
other necessities for their children.
G. Numerous studies document a strong relationship between income and health, with
income consistently shown to be one of the strongest predictors of health status.
H. Poverty and low income have been linked with premature mortality and low life
expectancy, and a rise in household income through an increased minimum wage would
result in significant public health benefits for workers in Boulder.
I. Increasing the minimum wage boosts job retention, raises earnings and consumer
spending across Colorado, and leads to Coloradans spending more money in the local
economy.
J. There is no evidence that raising the minimum wage leads to notable price increases and
little to no job loss; in fact, rural Colorado added 6,000 jobs following the 33 percent
increase in the minimum wage in 2006.
K. Small businesses have grown faster in states with a higher minimum wage and owners
support raising it.
L. The public welfare, health, and prosperity of the City of Boulder requires wages
sufficient to ensure a decent and healthy life for all workers in Boulder and their
families.
M. Cities are closely connected to the needs of their local communities and are uniquely
positioned to pass laws and policies that reflect the views, values, and needs of the
people they represent.
N. The Boulder City Council is committed to protecting the power of local governments to
act on the values and needs of their residents and promote a fair and accessible
economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BOULDER:
Section 1. That the Local Wage Option should be passed into law by the Colorado State
Legislature to allow local jurisdictions to adopt a minimum wage higher than the state minimum
wage rate, in order to more effectively address the unique and varying cost of living for workers
in their communities.
Section 2. That passage of the Local Wage Option would support working Coloradans, their
families, local businesses, and the state economy, while spurring consumer spending and a
healthier economy.
Section 3. That passage of the Local Wage Option would allow the City of Boulder to act on its
unique needs, values, and cost of living.
Section 4. That the tradition of local control in Colorado should be protected, as it provides each
municipality the ability to preserve and enhance the myriad of characteristics that make each
one unique and allows each municipality to maintain the quality of life of its residents.
ADOPTED this 19th day of February 2019.
CITY OF BOULDER, COLORADO
May—or— ,
ATTEST:
Cityark